Pentagon UAP Videos Release (2020)

On April 27, 2020, the Department of Defense authorized the official release of three unclassified Navy videos showing unidentified aerial phenomena. The videos had circulated publicly after unauthorized releases in 2007 and 2017, but the Pentagon's official action aimed to settle questions about their authenticity. Pentagon spokesperson Sue Gough said the release was meant to "clear up any misconceptions by the public on whether or not the footage that has been circulating was real, or whether or not there is more to the videos."

What are these videos?

The three videos are commonly known by their filenames: FLIR, GIMBAL, and GO FAST. One was recorded in November 2004 by Navy personnel. The other two were recorded in January 2015. Naval Air Systems Command posted copies of all three online through their Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) document library.

Why did the Pentagon release them?

The Department of Defense determined that releasing the videos would not reveal sensitive military capabilities or systems. Officials also concluded that the release would not interfere with ongoing investigations of unidentified aerial phenomena in military airspace. By making them official, the Pentagon aimed to address public confusion about whether the footage was genuine.

What did the Pentagon say about what's in the videos?

The Pentagon characterized the aerial phenomena observed in the videos as "unidentified." The department did not claim to have identified what the objects were or explain their origin or nature.